Washington plane crash victim was celebrating her birthday when she died, heartbroken mum reveals

Elizabeth Keys, 33, died connected her day aft American Airlines formation 5342 smashed into an Army chopper and burst into flames earlier crashing into the Potomac River beneath - sidesplitting everyone connected board

A valedictorian instrumentality postgraduate who was among the 67 radical that plunged to their deaths successful Washington connected Wednesday was celebrating her day connected the time the level crashed.

Elizabeth Keys, 33, worked astatine a Washington DC instrumentality steadfast and was travelling location with her pal and workfellow Sarah Lee Best, besides 33, aft having completed a deposition. Their plane, American Airlines formation 5342 was conscionable minutes from landing erstwhile it collided with a Black Hawk Army chopper and plunged into the Potomac River, killing each 67 radical connected board.

Tragically, Ms Keys' mum revealed it her daughter's day connected the time of the horror crash. The Georgetown University postgraduate was "a valedictorian and Varsity sailor" who graduated from the university's Law Center, and she leaves down her spouse David Seidman, who her parent described arsenic "the emotion of her life".

She was connected the commercial flight erstwhile it smashed into the chopper and burst into flames earlier crashing into the h2o beneath astatine astir 9pm section time. Sixty passengers were connected committee the plane, arsenic good arsenic 4 unit members, portion 3 soldiers were connected committee the Army helicopter.

Of the 67, authorities accidental astatine slightest 40 bodies person been pulled from the wreckage truthful far. In a moving tribute to her daughter, Elizabeth's mum said: "She loved profoundly and was profoundly loved. Liz was a warm, generous woman. She was truthful amusive - and funny! Liz had a crisp wit and appreciated it successful others. Gatherings were ever amended erstwhile Liz was there; she was filled with airy and joy. Her hugs were wonderful. Elizabeth was beardown and fearless - she embraced beingness astatine afloat speed."

The instrumentality postgraduate besides leaves down her Yorkie, Tucker. Ms Keys continued: "Words cannot explicit however profoundly Elizabeth, my Bitsy, volition beryllium missed. We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair astatine our loss."

Both Elizabeth and Sarah worked astatine Wilkinson Stekloff litigation successful the Washington DC office. Founder Beth Wilkinson said: "We are heartbroken by this unspeakable tragedy. Liz and Sarah were cherished members of our steadfast - fantastic attorneys, colleagues, and friends.

"Beyond being an fantabulous lawyer, Liz brought fearlessness, humor, and crisp wit to enactment each day, nary substance the mounting oregon circumstances. Sarah joined america conscionable past autumn and rapidly energized america each with her boundless curiosity, kindness, and intelligence. It is hard to ideate the steadfast without them. We are keeping them successful our memories and their families successful our thoughts and prayers."

Authorities confirmed connected Thursday that there were nary survivors aft the 2 aircrafts plummeted into the Potomac River successful the country's deadliest aviation catastrophe since 2001. Recovery missions are ongoing, with a fig of bodies inactive unaccounted for.

Among those dormant were 7 members of the 2 formation crews, including American Airlines' archetypal serviceman Sam Lilley, 29, who is said to person been excelling successful his vocation and idiosyncratic life, and was engaged to beryllium joined aboriginal this year. He died on with the skipper of the flight, Jonathan Campos, 34, formation attendant Danasia Elder, who was decribed arsenic being "full of life".

Two of the soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter, which was retired connected a grooming flight at the time, person besides been identified. Ryan O'Hara was described arsenic "the astir committed, disciplined person" with "such large integrity", and Andrew Eaves, from the tiny municipality of Brooksville successful eastbound Mississippi.